The New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) is inviting entities from the public and private sector to submit project proposals that have the potential to generate new technologies, businesses, and approaches to R&D and commercialization for the offshore wind industry.

The Request for Information, announced Monday, builds on New York City’s $191 million commitment to its 15-year Offshore Wind Vision Plan, which envisions making New York City a leading destination for the offshore wind industry. The plan also ensures the city meets nation-leading climate goals of 100-percent clean electricity by 2040 and carbon neutrality by 2050.

The RFI will provide NYCEDC with information regarding innovations that solve offshore wind industry challenges and create economic opportunities for New Yorkers. After receiving and reviewing RFI responses, NYCEDC said may release one or more subsequent Requests for Proposals for innovation-related infrastructure, which could lead to one or more awards with resources from the City’s $191 million financial commitment to the 15-year Offshore Wind Vision Plan.

Respondents to the RFI can be a private business, academic institution, philanthropic organization, non-profit entity, or partnership. NYCEDC is hoping the RFI will catalyze innovation in areas of design, materials and construction, and systems and planning.

“The RFI is a good step toward advancing New York City’s Offshore Wind Vision Plan and generating innovative ideas that help create new supply chains and clean energy infrastructure to maintain the OSW industry,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development Maria Torres-Springer. “I look forward to seeing all the great proposals that come out of this request for information and thank NYCEDC for engaging a diverse set of stakeholders to build a more equitable, healthier, and greener city for all.”

NYCEDC said the RFI should be viewed as a pre-competitive stage of solicitation and it does not intend to issue any awards or agreements.

“We are paving the way toward our vision of New York City as a world-renowned offshore wind hub,” said President and CEO of NYCEDC Andrew Kimball. “The RFI will help to identify innovation in this industry and leverage a unique opportunity to create well-paying future-focused green jobs, maximize local economic benefits, and generate clean energy – putting us one step closer to achieving an equitable economic recovery.”

All responses are due by Friday, September 9, 2022. More details can be found here: https://edc.nyc/offshore-wind-innovation-rd-rfi